In the wake of the recent PSLV-C62 mission failure, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan has affirmed that the setback will not impact the timeline of the Gaganyaan mission, India's first human spaceflight program. Speaking on Saturday, January 24, 2026, in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Narayanan stated that the agency is analyzing the cause of the PSLV failure, but emphasized that it is an isolated incident and will not affect the progress of the Gaganyaan mission. "These two are independent programs, and it will not have any impact. The investigation is ongoing," Narayanan told ANI.
The PSLV-C62 mission, launched on January 12, 2026, from Sriharikota, encountered an anomaly during the third stage, resulting in a deviation from the intended flight path. The mission was carrying the 'Anvesha'/EOS-N1 satellite, along with 15 co-passenger satellites from India and other countries. The anomaly occurred towards the end of the third stage burn, leading to a disturbance in the vehicle's roll rates and subsequent deviation. All 16 payloads are considered lost.
This marks the second consecutive PSLV failure, raising concerns about the reliability of what was once considered ISRO's most dependable rocket. The previous PSLV failure occurred in May 2025, during the PSLV-C61 mission, also due to a pressure drop in the third stage. Historically, the PSLV has powered 64 of India's space missions, with only four failures prior to this recent streak.
The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate India's human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of three members to a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission. The mission involves developing critical technologies, including a human-rated launch vehicle, a life support system, and crew emergency escape provisions. The first uncrewed test flight (G1) is scheduled for Q1 2026. This uncrewed mission will carry Vyommitra, a half-humanoid robot, to simulate human presence and prepare for crewed spaceflight. The first crewed flight, Gaganyaan-4, is expected to launch in Q2 2027.
ISRO plans to launch the crewed orbiter Gaganyaan atop a Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3). The spacecraft is designed to orbit the Earth at an altitude of 300-400 km. The capsule will return for a splashdown in the Arabian Sea near the Gujarat coastline. If successful, India will become the fourth nation to independently conduct human spaceflight, following the Soviet Union (Russia), the United States, and China.
The recent PSLV-C62 failure has raised concerns about ISRO's commercial credibility, as the mission carried satellites from private companies and international partners. The financial burden of the lost satellites will be shared between state funding and insurance claims. The loss of the EOS-N1 satellite, developed by DRDO, will be borne by the state, requiring DRDO to seek fresh budgetary approval for a replacement.
ISRO is currently conducting a detailed analysis of the PSLV-C62 failure to determine the root cause. Preliminary data suggests a drop in chamber pressure in the third stage, similar to the PSLV-C61 mission failure in May 2025. Former ISRO chairman S. Somanath emphasized the importance of learning from failures and expressed confidence in ISRO's ability to identify the cause and move forward.
